63 front springs

[Steve D.]

Re installing front springs . Shop manual says "End of coils must be 3/8" from coil stops in spring seat". When I seat the bottom of the spring in the lower control arm with the end of the coil 3/8" the coil stop, the top end of the coil is about 2+ inches from the coil stop in the spring seat in the frame. These are the springs I removed from the car, but I wasn't paying attention to "end of coil" position when I removed them. The springs have 7 (or coils and a wire diameter of .565".

Is my only option to seat the bottom near the stop and not worry about the position of the top?

Steve

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 front springs

Steve-----

From what you've described, the springs sound like original-type springs. The 1963 front springs did have a total of 7 coils and wire diameter of about what you mentioned. These were non-progressive rate springs (i.e. coils evenly spaced).

I'd say that your only option is to do as you say---install the spring with the correct gap at the a-frame end stop and let the top be as it may. Just make sure that the top coil doesn't "overlap" the spring stop. It shouldn't be a problem, though.

[Steve D.]

Re: 63 front springs

Joe

There is a 2 inch "underlap" at the top with the bottom in place.

Steve

[Eugene B.]

Re: 63 front springs

Gents,
I'm no expert regarding the front suspensions, but it was my notion (supported by the AIM) that the .38 +/- .12 dimension pertains to the TOP spring stop (not the bottom). At least that's the way it is in the '65 AIM on page E138 Note.

Am I missing something?

Good luck,
Gene

[Steve D.]

Re: 63 front springs

Gene

I was working from the shop manual and did not check my 63 AIM. I will do that tonight.

Steve

[Eugene B.]

Re: 63 front springs

Steve,
I checked the '63 shop manual this morning before responsing to your post.

On page 3-9, the shop manual documents the "3/8 inch from coil stops in spring seat"; however, it does not specify top or bottom.

I didn't crawl under my '65 to verify, but it's my notion that they are talking about positioning the top and letting the bottom fall where it may.

Good luck,

Gene

[Steve D.]

Re: 63 front springs

Gene

I just checked the 63 AIM, and it has the same note (that you mentioned above)pointing to the top of the spring. So I will align the top coil end 3/8" from the coil stop in the frame.

Thanks.

Steve

[Eugene B.]

Re: You're welcome, Steve *NM*